Hero Stories

The gift of organ and tissue donation is an act of quiet heroism. The memories of our Heroes are treasured. This Hero Stories Blog is for cherished memories submitted by the families of these Heroes.

A place to honor and to remember individuals that have saved and enhanced lives.

The stories that follow tell of loss, grief, and pain, as well as rebirth, renewed purpose, and continued missions. These stories, in particular, are close to home, as they involve some of our own employees.

To find a specific story, use the search box at the top of the page or click here for mobile search.

On February 10, 1997, two 13-year-old boys were killed on a four wheeler. Ryan Scott Cart was killed instantly. His best friend was flown to Lafayette General Medical Center, where he later died. Pam Cart, Ryan's mom, had agreed to donate her son's corneas and heart for heart valves.

While picking out flowers for her son's casket, Pam received a call from a nurse at the hospital, thanking her for agreeing to the donation. She also told Pam that since she had said yes, her son's friend's family agreed to donation as well.

"It soon will be nine years since Ryan died,” Pam said. "There is not a breath that I take without missing him. Donation has helped in the healing process.” Ryan gave sight to a 23-year-old and a 27-year-old that day. "When I wake up in the mornings, I pray for them, thanking God that they can see the sun rise and set. They can see the things that mean so much to them such as family, flowers, clouds, blue sky, and stars. Most of all, I know they will never forget that a 13-year-old boy gave them sight.”

Two years after Ryan's death, Pam's brother Glenn began dialysis. Glenn had been a diabetic since the age of 16. Pam, her mother, and her other siblings also were diabetic. They wanted to donate a kidney to Glenn, but they couldn't.

For the next two years, Glenn would endure four-hour dialysis treatments. He had to give up his job of coaching and teaching. On April 1, 2001, Glenn received his second chance at life. "I know if a family would not have stepped beyond their grief and said yes, my brother Glenn would no longer be alive today.” A year after his transplant, Glenn returned to the job he loved—coaching and teaching.

"You cannot say yes to organ and tissue donation without it having a positive impact on your life and the lives of those around you.” Before joining LOPA, Pam spent several years working with dialysis patients and as a representative for the Southern Eye Bank.

Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency

The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) is an independent, not-for-profit organ and tissue recovery agency. LOPA's Core Purpose is Making Life Happen. We save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation.

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Thank you to Rapides Regional Medical Center for their annual Tree of Life Ceremony today! It was a wonderful, emotional gathering and an amazing experience to share with donor families. The tree is located in the South Tower Lobby of the hospital.

A quick listen to 'The Gifted Life' podcast and you'll hear our hosts repeating...ONE person can make a difference in the world of donation!
Well, Rodie of 'Metro City Driving Academy' is one of those people!
See all those forms Rodie is holding in the attached picture? Those are all registration forms! She's helping to increase Louisiana's donor registry. Her motivation? Her friend, her HERO - Daniel. His picture is a fixture on the class walls (see him in the white hat?) She also lines her walls with donation information. Daniel saved and enhanced lives through donation. Rodie wants to save more people, too - in Daniel's honor. Thanks, Rodie for helping us MAKE LIFE HAPPEN! #DonateLife #DonateLifeLA #Podcast #TheGiftedLife

Join us on DLL's Facebook page live this morning, beginning at 11:00. Ricardo "Buck" Brown's Donate Life Rose Parade Float Floragraph will be unveiled to his mother. She will be finishing her son's floragraph before it is placed on the float! @donatelifefloat #donatelife

Today is #GivingTuesday! We are asking you to give something unique today—your name. Your name can save and heal many lives. Visit YourNameSaves.org to learn more. #yournamesaves #DonateLife